Alabama Legislature rejoins in special session today to discuss the budget... but time is running out...

Alabama Legislature rejoins in special session today to discuss the budget... but time is running out...

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 7:40 AM CDT Sep 8, 2015

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

WEBVTT BROOKE, AS THE SAYING GOES, THE THIRD TIMES THE CHARM AND THAT S THE CASE WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE. RIGHT NOW THERE S A 200- MILLION DOLLAR SHORTFALL IN THE STATE GENERAL FUND. LAWMAKERS HAVE HAD A PROBLEM AGREEING ON A SOLUTION TO FILL THAT GAP. GOVERNOR BENTLEY IS PROPOSING A PACKAGE OF TAX INCREASES. SOME LAWMAKERS THINK A LOTTERY MAY BE A SOLUTION, WHILE OTHERS THINK THEY JUST NEED TO CUT SPENDING. THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR FAILED TO REACH AN AGREEMENT DURING THE REGULAR SESSION AND SPECIAL SESSION. BUT I TALKED TO LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND THEY BOTH AGREE THAT THEY RE NOT PREPARED TO FAIL A THIRD TIME. 6:10 "I HOPE THAT WHATEVER THE RESOLUTION IS THAT WE LL DO IT IN 10 DAYS. GET OUT OF THERE AND HAVE A BUDGET FOR OCTOBER 1 AND MOVE ON AND TRY TO DO SOME OTHER THINGS THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE STATE OF ALABAMA." 6:28 1:53 "I DON T THINK WE LL SOLVE ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS IN THIS SPECIAL SESSION. I THINK WE LL GET A BUDGET PASSED AND I THINK WE RE SETTING ON A PATHWAY FOR TRUE BUDGET REFORM. A LOT OF IT WILL BE PICKED UP IN THE 2016 SESSION. BUT I THINK WE RE IN A VERY GOOD PLACE RIGHT NOW." 2:08 IT REALLY IS DOWN TO THE WIR FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE. THE NEW FISCAL YEAR STARTS OCTOBER FIRST -- LESS THAN A MONTH TO

Special session begins today

Alabama Legislature rejoins in special session today to discuss the budget... but time is running out...